JD Welsh Cup – Round 4

 

 

Haverfordwest County 1 – Bala Town 3

 
Skipper Chris Venables scored a superb second half hat-trick to ensure Bala Town have reached the Welsh Cup quarterfinals at the expense of Haverfordwest County at the Bridge Meadow Stadium.

The Bluebirds can have no complaints with the result as the Lakesiders were strong in every department, earlier in the season the hosts lost heavily in the league, this time around the hosts competed well in the opening 45 minutes, but once the visitors got their noses in front it proved another tough day at the office.

Lakesiders’ deadly striker Venables scored three times in six minutes to ease his side into the last eight of the competition.

Mason Jones-Thomas pulled one back with a terrific strike, but it was only a consolation, the Bluebirds’ scorer seemed to have pulled a groin minutes after he scored.

The visitors started the cup tie brightly as Venables’ header from inside the box was saved by Gajda, minutes later Kieran Smith drilled well over the crossbar.

The hosts cleared the ball off the line as former Wales international Dave Edwards struck a shot over the bar.

Ben Fawcett received treatment after he picked up a heavy knock, but he recovered to carry on.

Gajda comfortably gathered a tame header from Edwards, stand in right back Jack Wilson whipped in a dangerous cross.
 

Danny went close early second half

Shortly after the break Danny Williams got on the end of a wicked Wilson cross at the near post.

At the other end Peate’s header crashed against the post, from the rebound Edwards’ shot is bravely blocked by Alaric Jones.

Jones-Thomas cut in from the right, but his shot lacked power as Lloyd comfortably saved.



 

Venables scores three times in six minutes

Venables broke the deadlock in the 55^th minute, when the dangerous front man beat his marker at a corner before guiding his header in the far corner.

Two minutes later the Bluebirds’ defence is caught out as Venables made no mistake from close range.
In the 61^st minute Venables headed home a free kick, the skipper found space inside the box and punished the hosts.
 

Best goal of the game

The hosts pulled back a goal which was the best of the game, Jones-Thomas cut in from the right and unleashed an unstoppable drive which flew in off the underside of the crossbar, but that’s as good as it got for Wayne Jones’ men who had to concede defeat to a better team on the day.

Haverfordwest County: W. Gajda, E. Scotcher (Captain), A. Jones (82, I. Humphries), R. Watts, B. Fawcett, J. Wilson, D. Rees, K. Rees, M. Jones-Thomas, K. Patten, D. Williams.
Substitutes not used: K. Lewis, K. King.

Bala Town: H. Lloyd, S. Smith, N. Peate, A. Stephens, K. Smith, S. Leslie, P. Rutherford, D. Edwards (71, C. Sang), B. Bauress (88, D. Walker-Rice), O. Southern (70, O. Shannon), C. Venables (Captain).
Substitute not used: A. Ramsay.

Referee: Bryn Markham-Jones.
Assistants: Ian Bird & Connor Thomas.
Fourth Official: Benjamin Williams.